There is much sympathetic coverage of Leonard Little's drunk driving and killing a young woman 10 years ago--October is the anniversary. He received 90 days jail time and did not lose his NFL career, including a Super Bowl ring. I certainly have been of the opinion that he should have had serious jail time and lost his career.
He is now talking to kids at schools in STL area, including Roman Catholic schools. [Do you think middle school is a bit young for this type of discussion?]
That's the tough teaching of Roman Catholicism: forgiveness of sins. In the face of powerlessness over the past, we are called upon to accept this imperfect and sometimes painful life here on earth. It is hard in these times to recall that God promises us so much more in the next life.
We are unable to remember the young woman he killed, however, because her name is not in the article, sadly. The family name, Gutweiler, is mentioned, but not her. What about that life he took? Yes, his own journey to redemption is important, God bless him, but not apart from her and her family's suffering. He's tied to that forever, as he seems to realize. The wikipedia on Little says her first name is Susan.
May Susan Gutweiler and all the faithful departed rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon them.
Friday, May 02, 2008
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7 comments:
If there is one child whose future behavior is impacted by Mr. Little's community service speeches and appearance, I say thank God.
Perhaps I making a big leap in my assumption that you do not have children that have ever attended a speech of this ilk before (as I know that you have several school-age kids), but it is not unusual for catholic and public high schools to bring in guest speakers to discuss drinking and driving and the consequences of drug use.
More often than not, the speakers are not associated with the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood....they are individuals that really screwed their life up because of their involvement with booze/drugs: ie. because of their poor choices.
It is my observation (and apparently the observation of most schools) that the higher the profile of the individual or the steeper the fall from grace, the more 'cred' the speaker has with the kids.
Sorry Peg, but if you or I went to speak to middle school and high school kids, I'm not sure that they would listen. But they are 'all ears' when L.L. and others who have been to the joint talk to them. It has a profound impact on kids, at least from my prospective.
That's (jus de facts) priceless
TP:
Don't get so excited. I just questioned the age range. These kids aren't near driving. I have small children. Don't think I don't have some experience with returning from a life of sin myself. But for the grace of God, I have never committed such harm. For whatever reason, Little was granted such mercy. He is coming to terms with it and trying to bring some good out of it. Yeah, I feel a bit hard-hearted b/c he should have received greater consequences. As I think, probably the anger should be at the system that gave him a break, not so much at him. His duty is to bring some good out of it, finding out what God is calling him to do, which he is doing. God bless him.
TP:
Just a follow-up point. You seem not to be reading carefully my posts. I am not making the one-sided pronouncements that your eyes seem to be seeing. Yes, I have conveyed my own feelings about this, yet I also made some fair statements about his efforts to face his sin and bring good from it.
Also, on the Obama thing, I did not deride his or his wife's college admission or careers, but the fact that it is believed that ALL whites have ALL the advantages over blacks. Obama and his wife entering college (by whatever means) and having successful careers, like many other blacks, belies the claims that a black cannot succeed and that ALL whites are priviledged. I come from working class white background, as do many Catholics who also obtained college educations, the first in their families. I am the only of the 6 children in my family with a degree or who attended more than a couple years of post-HS education. My mother obtained a 4-yr degree only about 10 years ago, good on her. Dad's done further ed too since retiring.
I’m not sure how you got the idea I was getting excited about something. Was it something I said?
Here’s my take on the L.L. matter. Please be advised: I’m not an authority on the subject matter…I just happen to remember some of the pertinent detail of this situation.
Several years after L.L.’s senseless murder of someone’s wife, mother et.al., L.L. was arrested for allegedly operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated in West St. L County. As I recall, his b/a level . was twice the legal limit; .18 I believe. Probably because of his bank and his fame, he somehow beat the rap, thus avoiding another trip to the joint.
Again, as I recall, several days or weeks after his arrest on the DWI charge, L.L.’s brother or step-brother was gunned down in a gang-related slaying somewhere in the South. I believe it might have been in Atlanta.
L.L.’s response to his brother’s murder was fascinating. For an extended period of time after the slaying, L.L. avoided the press all together (this, despite the fact that he has been with the Rams longer than most anyone else currently on the team, and despite the fact that he is a team leader on defense).
To anyone that followed the Rams on the news shows alone, the change was noticeable. After his brother’s murder, L.L. seemed a lot quieter, was more subdued, more pensive, and more pre-occupied.
There are any number of ways you can read into this, and it perhaps it is just my perception, but to me, it was obvious that the Big Guy sent L.L. a message about personal pain, loss and suffering along with the notification of his brother’s death. And it appears to me as if L.L. got the memo loud and clear.
For while prior to the incident, L.L. was just like your friend Rush, as well as the Billary twins, Rev. Wright and Brittany Spears…it was all about me (them)…..After the shooting, it almost seems as if L.L. now comprehends that others can feel pain, can suffer and can experience loss that is devastating.
Hey, I could be wrong, but I hope I’m not in this instance at least.
But with that said, all of us aware are aware of any numbers of individuals in our personal lives and in society at large who refuse to accept accountability and/or responsibility for their actions. People who believe that they can do anything they wish, anytime they wish to do it, even when it hurts others.....That’s why we have robberies, rape, abortions, child molesters, wars, mercy-killers, wife beaters etc.
I hope and pray Mr. Little and the family and friends of SG find peace in their lifetimes and learn to forgive others that hurt them.
I further pray that others that believe that “It’s all about me,” learn the lesson Mr. Little learned, without causing some many others to experience so much pain and anguish.
That’s (my hope and prayer and I'm sticking with it) priceless
TP--I agree with your assessment.
Your 1st post sounded rather critical of me. That was what I was responding to.
Pax.
I'm sorry if you feel as if I am spamming the blog, but I do want to say once again...Father Nick...we are all very proud of you, are happy for your family and can't wait till next Saturday.
May the Lord bless and protect you,
that's (from the bottom of my heart) priceless
TP: No apologies needed here. One can never be too encouraging and supportive of a young man about to enter the priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church.
God bless soon-to-be Father Nick! And God bless all of our priests and bishop!
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